The Complete Street 104 Phnom Penh Bar Guide: What to Expect, Where to Go, and Why The Factory 104 Leads the Way

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Quick Answer — Street 104 Phnom Penh Bars

Street 104 Phnom Penh is the city’s most established nightlife strip for lady bars and hostess bars. Located near Wat Phnom in central Phnom Penh, it’s compact, easy to walk, and well-priced compared to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. Expect draft beer from $3, lady drinks around $5, and bar fines starting at $20. The street is generally safe for tourists, especially along the main stretch. The standout venue is The Factory 104 — open seven nights a week from 7:30 PM, with VIP rooms, a pool table, and one of the only jacuzzi suites on the street.

Where Exactly Is Street 104 in Phnom Penh?

Street 104 runs roughly east–west through central Phnom Penh, sitting just a few blocks south of Wat Phnom — the city’s most iconic landmark. That puts it squarely in the older, more characterful part of the city, away from the expat-heavy Riverside and the newer BKK1 neighbourhood.

Getting there is straightforward. Grab a Grab car or a tuk-tuk from anywhere in central Phnom Penh and you’ll be on the strip in under 15 minutes. Most drivers know it by name. And if you’re already near the riverfront or the Night Market, it’s close enough to walk on a warm evening.

The bars are clustered along a few hundred metres of the street. Bars near Wat Phnom sit in a zone that feels lived-in — older shophouse buildings, decent street food vendors nearby, and the kind of low-key foot traffic that makes it easy to hop between venues without any pressure. Street 104 is the kind of place that rewards people who take their time and ask around.

What Kind of Bars Are on Street 104?

The Phnom Penh bar street guide wouldn’t be complete without being clear about this: Street 104 is primarily known for hostess bars and lady bars. That’s not a rumour — it’s just what the street is. If you’re looking for craft cocktail lounges or dive bars with live music, you’d be better off on Street 308 or near the riverfront.

A lady bar in Cambodia follows a format that’s common across Southeast Asia. You sit, order drinks, and the bar’s hostesses — local women — join you for conversation. You can buy them a “lady drink” as a way of compensating them for their time. She gets a cut of the price; the bar gets the rest. Nobody is forced to buy anything, and the atmosphere in the better venues is relaxed and friendly, not transactional.

Some bars on the street are small and basic — a few stools, a fridge, background music. Others, like The Factory 104, have proper fit-outs: VIP rooms, pole dance stages, full cocktail menus, pool tables. The range is wide. But if you’re coming to Street 104 for a genuine night out rather than just a quick drink, it’s worth choosing a place that’s actually set up for it.

Street 104 vs Street 136 vs Street 130 — Which Is Best?

Phnom Penh has a few competing nightlife areas, and the differences are real enough to matter when you’re planning a night out.

Street 136 gets more foot traffic and tends to attract first-timers. But for people who’ve been around Phnom Penh’s nightlife a few times, Street 104 often comes out ahead. The venues are generally better maintained, the hostess bars feel more professional, and you’re less likely to deal with high-pressure nonsense that creeps into places catering purely to passing tourists.

That said, each street has its own energy on any given night. The better approach is to start on 104, see how the night unfolds, and go from there.

How Much Does a Night Out on Street 104 Cost?

Cambodia bar prices in 2026 remain well below what you’d pay in Bangkok, Bali, or Ho Chi Minh City. A full night on Street 104 — a few beers, lady drinks for the company, maybe a VIP room — can be done reasonably without any surprises if you know what to expect going in.

The prices above apply specifically to The Factory 104. Other venues on the street may vary — some charge more for bar fines, some less for drinks. But these are a solid benchmark for what the street costs in general.

The Factory 104 — The Standout Venue on Street 104

The Factory 104 has been on the street since 2017, which makes it one of the longer-running venues in a neighbourhood where bars come and go. That kind of longevity usually means something: consistent management, decent staff, and a product that keeps people coming back. And from personal observation, The Factory 104 is consistently the most well-run spot on the strip.

The full address is 21Eo Seng Thuon (Street 104), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. You can find it on Facebook at facebook.com/TheFactory104 — the page is regularly updated and you can message ahead if you want to check anything before you visit.

The Factory 104 — At a Glance

Open since: 2017

Hours: 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM, seven days a week

Cover charge: None

Draft beer: From $3

Lady drinks: $5

Bar fine: $20

VIP room: $40 (5 sections, one with hot tub jacuzzi)

Features: Pole dance stage, pool table, balcony, full cocktail bar

Payment: ABA, cash USD, credit card

The Factory 104 accepts ABA bank transfers, USD cash, and credit cards. Most transactions on Street 104 are still cash-first, so it’s worth having some dollars in your pocket, but having the card option is genuinely useful later in the evening. And there’s no cover charge — still worth mentioning because some venues in the city have started adding one.

The layout works well for different kinds of nights. The main floor has the pole dance stage, bar seating, and a pool table — easy enough to settle in with a beer and see what’s happening. The balcony area is good if you want a slightly quieter spot to talk. And the five VIP sections give you options if you want something more private. The jacuzzi VIP room is a genuine novelty — it’s not something you’ll find in many venues in Phnom Penh at this price point.

Practical Tips for Your Visit to Street 104

A few things worth knowing before you head out:

• Arrive after 9 PM. The early hours (7:30–9 PM) are quiet on most nights. The street picks up considerably after 9:30, and the best atmosphere is usually between 10 PM and 1 AM.
• Phnom Penh nightlife is generally safe for tourists on the main stretch of Street 104. Use common sense — don’t flash large amounts of cash, and grab a Grab or tuk-tuk rather than walking far after midnight.
• Lady drinks are optional. You’re not obligated to buy them. But if a hostess has been good company, it’s a reasonable gesture. $5 is the going rate at The Factory 104.
• Understand the bar fine system before you ask about it. The $20 bar fine at The Factory 104 is payment to the bar for taking a staff member off the floor. Negotiations with the individual happen separately, and nothing is assumed.
• USD is the functional currency. Almost all bar transactions on Street 104 happen in US dollars. Small riel notes may appear as change for small amounts.
• Respect goes a long way. The hostesses working in these bars are professionals. Politeness and basic decency will make your night significantly better than any amount of money will.
• Stay hydrated. A long night on Street 104 without food or water will end badly. There are food vendors nearby, and The Factory 104 has a full cocktail menu if you want to pace yourself.

FAQ — Street 104 Phnom Penh

Is Street 104 Phnom Penh safe for tourists?

Yes, generally. Street 104 is a well-established nightlife area with regular foot traffic and a local bar scene that’s been operating for years. Like anywhere, common sense applies — don’t carry unnecessary valuables, use app-based taxis late at night, and stay on the main stretch. The venues themselves are safe, and staff are used to international visitors.

What is a lady drink in Cambodia, and how much does it cost?

A lady drink is a drink you buy for a hostess bar staff member as a way of compensating her for spending time with you. She gets a cut of the price; the bar gets the rest. At The Factory 104, lady drinks are $5. You’re not required to buy them, but it’s the standard etiquette if you’re enjoying someone’s company for an extended period.

What is a bar fine in Phnom Penh?

A bar fine is a fee paid to the bar when you take a staff member out for the evening. It compensates the venue for losing a worker during operating hours. At The Factory 104, the bar fine is $20. That payment goes to the bar — any arrangement with the individual is separate and negotiated directly.

What are the opening hours for The Factory 104?

The Factory 104 is open seven days a week from 7:30 PM through to 4:00 AM. It’s one of the later-closing venues on Street 104, which makes it a natural option for people who start their night elsewhere and want somewhere solid to finish up.

Does The Factory 104 have a VIP room?

Yes — The Factory 104 has five VIP sections, one of which includes a hot tub jacuzzi. VIP room access is $40. It’s a good option if you want a private space away from the main floor, whether for a group booking or a more relaxed evening.

How does Street 104 compare to other bar streets in Phnom Penh?

Street 104 is generally more established and lower-pressure than Street 136, which caters more to backpackers. Street 130 is quieter and cheaper but has fewer purpose-built hostess bars. If you’re specifically looking for a hostess bar Street 104 experience with proper VIP options and a well-run venue, Street 104 — and The Factory 104 in particular — is the cleaner choice.

What payment methods does The Factory 104 accept?

The Factory 104 accepts ABA bank transfers, USD cash, and credit cards. USD cash is the easiest option for most transactions, but having the card and ABA options available is useful. There’s no cover charge, so your first spend of the night is whatever you order at the bar.

Ready to Visit?

Street 104 has been part of Phnom Penh’s nightlife for a long time, and it earns that reputation by being consistent. The street is well-priced, easy to navigate, and far less chaotic than comparable areas in Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. But among everything the strip has to offer, The Factory 104 has built something that stands on its own — a venue that’s been running since 2017 because it gets the basics right and gives people a reason to come back.

Whether you’re a first-timer figuring out how Phnom Penh nightlife actually works, or you’ve been around the city a few times and want somewhere you can rely on, The Factory 104 is worth making your base for the evening. No cover charge, honest prices, and a setup that works for a low-key drink just as well as it does for a full night out.

Pull up a seat — The Factory 104 is open from 7:30 PM every night. 21Eo Seng Thuon (Street 104), Phnom Penh, Cambodia.